Libreville: Gabon’s President-elect, Brice Oligui Nguema, who led a coup ending 55 years of Bongo family rule, swept polls last month with nearly 95 percent of the vote. He will be sworn in on Saturday, officially taking the presidential reins after leading a 19-month transition government.
According to France24.com, the general and former junta leader, who toppled Ali Bongo in August 2023, will assume the presidency after a nearly two-decade-long dynasty. The event marks a significant political shift for Gabon, with Nguema preparing to guide the nation through a complex political landscape.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Angondje stadium, built to honor the friendship between Gabon and China. It will be the first time the country hosts a swearing-in ceremony in front of such a large audience, with tickets offered free of charge. The event is expected to feature artistic performances and a military parade, followed by a “victory concert” on the Libreville waterfront in the evening.
In prepara
tion for the event, hundreds of workers have been engaged in cleaning and repainting areas around the main roads leading to the stadium. Authorities have urged citizens to be welcoming as foreign guests arrive for the occasion. The interior ministry has called on residents near the stadium to participate in the beautification efforts.
Oligui, 50, faces significant challenges in leading the oil-rich country. Gabon needs to revamp crucial infrastructure and diversify its economy, but it is heavily indebted. Key issues include an ageing electricity network with frequent power cuts, youth unemployment at 40 percent, inadequate roads, and a public debt projected to reach 80 percent of GDP this year.
During the transition, Oligui has portrayed himself as a “builder,” initiating numerous construction projects and pledging to tackle corruption to steer the country back on track.